Avon kidnapping suspects denied bail release

James Robertson, a 37-year-old father from Avon, was abducted Jan. 1, 2014.

BROCKTON – The three men accused of kidnapping Avon father James Robertson remain behind bars despite attempts to get released on bail.

All three have been charged in the New Year’s Day abduction of Robertson, 37, from his parent’s home by two men posing as law enforcement officials. The Enterprise has also learned that police are investigating the crime as a homicide.

Last month, Scott W. Morrison, 46, of Norfolk, attempted to post the equity of his parent’s home in the amount of $200,000 to make bail, according to court documents.

His request was denied because the real estate was “inadequate” to ensure his future presence in court and “given the the very serious nature of the charges in this case,” the judge wrote in his decision.

Morrison remained in custody at Suffolk County Jail as of Friday. His next court date is Aug. 5 for a probable cause hearing.

Alfred R. Ricci, 45, of Canton, also remains in custody, at Plymouth County Jail. Last month his motion to reduce his $200,000 cash bail was denied. He is scheduled to return to court July 25.

On Friday, the third suspect, James M. Feeney, 44, of Dedham, was scheduled to appear in court for a probable cause hearing. That court date was rescheduled to Aug. 27.

Feeney remains in lockup at Norfolk County Jail on $500,000 cash bail. He has an extensive criminal record, including a 10-year stint in state prison and an arrest in February for dealing drugs and having unlicensed firearms.